My goal in collecting portable Apple computers isn’t to have one of every model, just to have one that personifies each major developmental step along the way. Apple portable computers powered by the G3 processor (aka PowerPC 750) were sold from late 1997 through January of 2001 when the G4 “TiBook” was introduced at Macworld Expo.
I am fortunate to have a few of these in my collection, all fully operational. Read on for the details.
What’s in the collection so far – part 2, the G3 processor models
PowerBook G3 "Wallstreet"
This black portable from Apple was the first to give up the boxy appearance of the 3400 enclosure and had a curious combination of a white Apple logo on the outside and a small multicolored Apple logo under the display. With built in ADB, SCSI, and serial ports, they shipped with a standard floppy drive. The Wallstreet was the first portable computer Apple made available “build to order” with the customer allowed to select among three different screen sizes and three different processors. My Wallstreet is a 233 MHz model with a 14.1″ screen. It has 160MB of RAM, a 9 GB HD, and has Mac OS 9.2.2 installed. At 7.8 pounds this is probably the heftiest portable Mac Apple has ever shipped besides the original Mac Portable.
PowerBook G3 "Lombard"
Announced in May, 1999 the PowerBook G3 (Bronze keyboard) aka “Lombard” added USB ports and came in a sexy, slimmed down enclosure that made it nearly two pounds lighter than its predecessor. With no ADB or serial ports they do not support Apple floppy drive modules. Unlike earlier G3 models, the Lombard allows you to replace the optical drive module with a second battery, doubling runtime to an amazing ten hours.
I actually have two Lombards in my collection, both 333 MHz models. You can read about my most recently acquired one here. It has 256 MB of RAM, a 30 GB HD, and has Mac OS 8.6, 9.2.2, or 10.3.9 installed to select from. I carried a Lombard for two years and it was a reliable, sturdy, and dependable machine.
Coming next – G4 processor Apple portables in the classicmacs.org collection
